System and method for controlling home network devices using multicast enabled remote controls

ABSTRACT

A system, method, and article of manufacture for controlling home network devices using a multicast enabled remote control. The system includes a plurality of home network devices capable of receiving and/or transmitting multicast input and/or output signals and a home gateway to receive audio/video signals generated outside of the home and to transform the audio/video signals into multicast output signals. The system also includes a multicast enabled remote control to detect, aggregate, store and display all audio/video multicast output signals on the multicast enabled remote control, to enable a user to redirect an audio/video multicast output signal to one or more of the plurality of home network devices capable of receiving multicast input signals, and to control the plurality of home network devices capable of receiving and/or transmitting multicast input and/or output signals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is generally related to digital home networking.More particularly, the present invention is related to a system andmethod for controlling home network devices using a multicast enabledremote control.

2. Description

The evolution of digital technological advances over the last decade orso is transforming the average house into a digital home. For example,homes now include digital equipment that enable users of the home towatch television and surf the Internet at the same time on the samedigital device, to view their digital photographs on the television oron the computer, to network personal computers within the home to enablethe sharing of documents, images and other types of media amongst thenetworked PCs, etc.

Each digital device usually comes with its own remote control. A problemassociated with having so many different digital devices in the home ishaving to keep track of each of the remote controls. The ability tocontrol all of the different digital devices in the home is often timesdifficult for the average consumer. Connecting all of the digitaldevices in the home may also pose a problem for the average consumer.Also, having to re-wire/re-connect a digital device when the digitaldevice is to be used in a different location of the home may be aninconvenience. For example, if one wants to view a digital video disc(DVD) in the family room when the only DVD player is connected to thetelevision in the living room, the DVD player must be disconnected fromthe television in the living room and re-connected to a television inthe family room. Also, if one wants to view vacation or special familyevent camcorder movies, the camcorder has to be connected to atelevision or some other type of display in a room of the house. If theperson is showing the camcorder movie(s) to guests, the camcorder mayhave to be connected to the television in the living room or the familyroom. If the person is viewing the camcorder movie(s) alone or withanother family member, the person may want to view the camcordermovie(s) in the comfort of his/her bedroom, and therefore, must connectthe camcorder to the television in his/her bedroom. Also, if the personwants to download the camcorder movies to his/her computer, thecamcorder has to be connected to the computer. Thus, the connection andre-connection of the camcorder to different display devices depending onits use within the home can be burdensome to any consumer.

Thus, what is needed is a system and method for enabling the consumer touse multiple digital devices within the home without putting an undueburden on the user to fully understand the intricate workings of each ofthe digital devices. What is also needed is a system and method forenabling the consumer to use any digital device anywhere within the homewithout having to re-wire the device when the device is used in adifferent location of the home.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form partof the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present inventionand, together with the description, further serve to explain theprinciples of the invention and to enable a person skilled in thepertinent art(s) to make and use the invention. In the drawings, likereference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar,and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an elementfirst appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the correspondingreference number.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system 100 of adigital home network having a multicast enabled remote control accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating examples of three different types ofdigital home devices according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 illustrates audio/video signals utilized by a digital homenetwork according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary digital devices that are controlled by amulticast enabled remote control according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary multicast enabled remote controlaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B illustrates an exemplary display of a multicast enabled remotecontrol where the multicast enabled remote control is in a port positionthat enables control of all multicast devices in the home.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram describing an exemplary method for controllinga home network using a multicast enabled remote control according to anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention is described herein with reference toillustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should beunderstood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled inthe relevant art(s) with access to the teachings provided herein willrecognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments withinthe scope thereof and additional fields in which embodiments of thepresent invention would be of significant utility.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment” or“another embodiment” of the present invention means that a particularfeature, structure or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the presentinvention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or“in an embodiment” appearing in various places throughout thespecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system and methodfor controlling home network devices. Embodiments of the presentinvention provide a very easy and cost effective way to control anentire range of digital home devices (audio/video devices as well asnon-audio/video devices) using a single multicast enabled remotecontrol. The home network transmits multicast signals using localmulticast assigned addresses for each multicast channel in the network.All network devices are given a friendly name and a fixed localmulticast address during device setup time. The multicast enabled remotecontrol allows the home user to detect available audio/video multicaststreams and redirect an input network device to receive a selectedmulticast stream. The multicast enabled remote control also allows thehome user to control the full range of home network devices.

Embodiments of the present invention reduce the complexity ofcontrolling all of the home network devices and eliminate therequirement of having multiple remote control devices to controlseparate devices in the home. Multicasting all of the digital networkdevices using a single remote control enable audio and/or video outputdevices to be played in any room within the home that has a digitalnetwork input device, regardless of the location of the audio and/oraudio/video output device. The multicast enabled remote control detectsavailable I/O (input/output) devices and multicast audio/video streams.A user, via the multicast enabled remote control, may select a multicastaddress/channel and redirect the multicast address/channel to be playedon a network input device by selecting the desired input device. Forexample, live video from an entrance way surveillance camera can beredirected to an LCD (liquid crystal display) display in the kitchen ifa user is located in the kitchen and wants to view any activity at theentrance way of the home. Digital photos stored on a computer may alsobe redirected to the LCD in the kitchen for viewing by a user located inthe kitchen. In yet another example, a movie being played on asubscriber cable channel may be redirected to the LCD in the kitchen forviewing by the user located in the kitchen. Thus, the LCD display may beconverted into a video monitor, a digital photo frame, or a televisiondepending upon what type of audio/video transmission is desired forviewing by the user. Users of the system in other locations of the homehaving a display may also view any of the above items simultaneously orat different times. A user of the system may control any of the networkdevices (e.g., surveillance camera, computer, cable television channel,and LCD) via the multicast enabled remote control as well.

Although embodiments of the present invention are described as havingcertain digital network I/O devices in a digital home, the invention isnot limited to the digital network I/O devices described. One skilled inthe relevant art(s) would know that more, less, or other digital networkI/O devices may be used in a digital home network without departing fromthe scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system 100 of adigital home network having a multicast enabled remote control accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. Although system 100 shows afinite number of digital network devices, more digital network devices,less digital network devices, or other digital network devices may beemployed in a digital home network using the single multicast enabledremote control.

As shown in FIG. 1, system 100 includes a plurality of audio/videodigital devices and non-audio/video digital devices interspersedthroughout a home, as well as outside the home. Rooms within a home mayinclude, but are not limited to, a living room 110, a dining room 130, akitchen 140, a master bedroom 150, a child's bedroom 160, a home office170, a utility room 180, and at least one bathroom 190.

Living room 110 may comprise audio/video digital devices such as, butnot limited to, an entertainment center having a television 112, a CD(compact disc) player 114, a combination DVD/VCR (digital videodisc/video cassette recorder) player and/or digital video recorder 116,and a surround sound audio system 118. Living room 110 may also includea headphone 120 to enable a user to receive telephone calls, music,intercom communications, or other audio multicast signals from thenetwork. Non-audio/video digital devices may include, but are notlimited to, light fixtures 113 to light living room 110 and a ceilingfan 115 to cool living room 110.

Dining room 130 may include, but is not limited to, a headphone 132 toenable a user to receive telephone calls, music, intercomcommunications, or other audio multicast signals from the network and aspeaker system 134 to enable audio signals to be piped in for all tolisten. Dining room 130 may comprise non-audio/video digital devices,such as, but not limited to, and light fixtures 131 to light dining room130.

Kitchen 140 may include audio/video digital network devices such as, butnot limited to, a notebook PC 142, an LCD display 144, a headphone 146,and speakers 148. Non-audio/video network devices may include, but arenot limited to, a conventional oven 141, a microwave oven 143, adishwasher 145, a refrigerator 147, and a combination light fixture andfan 149.

Master bedroom 150 may comprise audio/video digital network devices suchas, but not limited to, a television 152, a speaker system 154, acombination DVD/VCR player 156, a notebook personal computer (PC) 158,and a headphone 155. Non-audio/video network devices found in masterbedroom 150 may include, but are not limited to, a combination lightfixture and fan 151 and night table lamps 153.

Child's bedroom 160 may comprise audio/video digital network devicessuch as, but not limited to, a video camera 162 for viewing childactivity, a desktop PC with a wireless network card 164, a speakersystem 166, and a LCD (liquid crystal display) 168. Non-audio/videodigital network devices may include, but are not limited to, acombination light fixture and fan 161 and night light fixtures 163.

A home office 170 may include audio/video digital network devices suchas, but not limited to, a notebook or desktop PC 172 with a wirelessrouter 174, a personal digital assistant (PDA) 176, a headphone 177, andan MP3 (MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group)-1 Audio Layer-3) player 178.Headphone 177 may receive calls for an office telephone number or hometelephone number. Non-audio/video digital network devices in home office170 may include, but are not limited to, a combination ceiling lightfixture and fan 171, a desk light fixture 173, and a printer/fax/scanner175.

Utility room 180 may include audio/video network devices such as, butnot limited to, an LCD 182, a speaker system 184, and a headphone 186.Non-audio/video digital network devices may include, but are not limitedto, a light fixture 181, a washer 183, a dryer 185, a hot water heater187, and a heating/cooling system 189.

Bathroom 190 may include audio/video digital network devices, such as,but not limited to, a headset 192 and a speaker 194. Non audio/videodigital network devices may include, but are not limited to, lightfixtures 191.

In one or more entrance ways to the home, system 100 may also includesecurity surveillance cameras 196/198 for viewing activity occurring ateach entrance into the home. Although not explicitly shown in FIG. 1,the entrance hallway may also include one or more non audio/videodigital devices such as, for example, one or more light fixtures and aspeaker system.

Just inside the home, for example, in an entrance hallway, system 100may include a home gateway 193 for accepting all electrical signalsgenerated by outside sources, such as, for example, service providers.Such signals may include, but are not limited to, telephone signals,television signals, digital cable signals, satellite cable signals, etc.Home gateway 193 accepts the incoming signals and separates the signalsinto local multicast addresses/channels. For example, each cable orsatellite channel will be provided a multicast address/channel. Homegateway 193 may also be capable of sending audio/video signals viatelephone communications as well.

One or more multicast enabled remote control devices 195 are alsoincluded in system 100. In one embodiment, each room (110, 130, 140,150, 160, 170, 180, and 190) of the house may include multicast enabledremote control 195 dedicated for use in that particular room. In anotherembodiment, only the major rooms in the house include multicast enabledremote control 195. In yet another embodiment, system 100 may includeone multicast enabled remote control device 195 for each person livingin the home, excluding small children and infants.

The digital home devices shown in FIG. 1 may be connected via a wirelessnetwork using such techniques as WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), WiMAX(Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), Bluetooth, or anyother wireless technique (presently known or to be developed in thefuture) that enables the digital home devices within the home tofunctionally operate without wires. WiFi, WiMAX, and Bluetooth are wellknown wireless techniques to those skilled in the relevant art(s).

Embodiments of the present invention separate the digital home devicesinto three (3) types. The first type comprises home devices that are nonaudio/video devices. The second type comprises audio and/or video outputdevices that are capable of multicasting the audio and/or video on localmulticast addresses. The third type of digital home devices includeaudio and/or video input devices that are capable of playing the audioand/or video streams that are generated by the devices of the secondtype, that is, audio and/or video output devices.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating examples of the three types of digitalhome devices according to an embodiment of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 2, Type I digital network devices are non audio/videodevices. These devices include the normal home appliances, such as, butnot limited to, ovens 202 such as microwave, gas, electric, orconvection ovens; refrigerators 204; lights 206; fans 208, hot waterheaters 210, heating and cooling systems 212, washer/dryer 214,dishwasher 216, etc. In one embodiment, the lights of a home may bebroken into zones and controlled according to zones. In alternativeembodiments, the lights of a home may be controlled according to roomsor groups of rooms. In embodiments of the present invention, multicastenabled remote control 195 will be used to control the digital networkdevices of Type I.

As indicated above, Type II digital network devices comprise audioand/or video digital network output devices that are capable ofmulticasting the audio and/or video output on a local multicast address.The exemplary digital network output devices shown in FIG. 2 include,but are not limited to, digital cameras 218 for providing video or videoand audio, such as, but not limited to, a surveillance camera system, acamcorder, and a digital camera; audio devices 220, such as a compactdisc (CD) player, an MP3 player, a digital cassette player, a digitalradio, a microphone, and other types of digital devices that provideaudio for one's listening enjoyment; and audio/video digital devices222, such as, for example, a digital video disc (DVD) player, a digitalvideo recorder (DVR), a camcorder, a personal computer, a personaldigital assistant, and other types of digital network devices thatenable audio and/or video output multicasting on a multicast address.

As previously stated, Type III digital network devices include audioand/or video digital network input devices that are capable of playingthe streams of audio and/or video streams generated by the digitalnetwork devices of Type II. Such devices, may include, but are notlimited to, speakers 224, displays 226, televisions 228, and any othertype of audio and/or video devices that enable the rendering of audioand/or video streams generated by the devices of Type II for one'sviewing and/or listening pleasure.

In embodiments of the present invention, all network connected devicesare multicast capable. They may be capable of receiving multicaststreams (e.g., LCD displays, televisions, refrigerators, microwaves,etc.) and/or sending multicast streams (e.g., DVD player, computer,etc.) in a local multicast network environment. During setup of adigital network device, an administrator/home owner assigns the device auser friendly name and a fixed local multicast address to detect andcontrol the device. For example, a DVD player in the living room and aDVD player in the master bedroom may be given the user friendly names of“Living Room DVD” and “Master Bedroom DVD” and the multicast addressesof “230.0.0.11” and “230.0.0.15”, respectively. All audio/video and nonaudio/video devices record their presence to multicast enabled remotecontrol 195 by multicasting their identity on their assigned address.The audio/video home network devices broadcast their presence using thefixed multicast address assigned during setup.

As previously indicated, signals for the digital home network may bereceived from an outside source, such as, for example, a serviceprovider, or within the home from either audio/video digital homedevices or non-audio/video digital home devices. FIG. 3 illustrates theaudio/video signals utilized by the digital home network according to anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows audio/video signalstransmitted into the home from outside sources (Group A signals),audio/video signals transmitted within the home via the audio/videodigital multicast devices within the home (Group B signals), andmulticast enabled remote control 195.

Group A signals are audio/video signals that are transmitted into thehome from outside sources. Group A signals may include, but are notlimited to, telephone signals 302, television signals 304 (includinghigh definition television (HDTV), cable television signals, satellitetelevision signals), and digital radio signals 306. Signals that arereceived from outside sources are captured by home gateway 193. Homegateway 193 accepts incoming signals and places them on a localmulticast address/channel. For example, a local multicast address may beassigned to each cable or satellite channel, telephone number, and radiostation being received by home gateway 193.

Group B signals are audio/video multicast signals that are generated bythe digital multicast devices within the home. Group B signals may begenerated from digital camcorders, digital surveillance cameras, digitalvideo disc (DVD) players, entertainment centers, compact disc players,MP3 players, or any other digital device that generates audio/videomulticast signals. As previously indicated, each device that generates agroup B signal is provided a multicast address and a name upon setup ofthe device.

The audio/video multicast signals from home gateway 193 (Group A) andfrom each digital device in the home capable of generating multicastaudio/video signals (Group B) are detected by multicast enabled remotecontrol 195. Multicast enabled remote control 195 may distribute themulticast transmissions on a home input device upon the request of auser. Such home input devices include displays (such as plasma displays,LCD displays, etc.), televisions, stereo speakers, loudspeakers,intercoms, headphones, and any other network input device that acceptsaudio and/or video multicast streams.

Digital devices within the home may also be controlled by multicastenabled remote control 195. FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary digital devicesthat are controlled by multicast enabled remote control 195 according toan embodiment of the present invention. Although FIG. 4 illustratesspecific digital devices, the invention is not limited to the digitaldevices illustrated. One skilled in the relevant art(s) would know thatother digital devices capable of receiving multicast signals may also beused. The devices shown in FIG. 4 comprise household lighting devices410, home appliances 420, and audio/video devices 430 that may becontrolled by multicast enabled remote control 195. Household lightingdevices 410 include light fixtures such as, but not limited to, ceilinglights, wall lights, and lamps. Home appliances 420 include ovens, suchas, but not limited to, conventional ovens, microwave ovens, convectionovens, etc., dishwashers, refrigerators, washers, dryers, heating andcooling systems, hot water heaters, etc. Audio/video devices 430 includeDVD/VCR players, CD players, MP3 players, speaker systems, headphones,cameras, camcorders, displays, televisions, etc.

FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary multicast enabled remote control 195according to an embodiment of the present invention. Although notexplicitly shown, remote control 195 includes a plurality of ports. Forexample, the distribution of audio/video multicast streams operates onone port, such as, for example, port 0, and the control of digitalmulticast devices in the home operates on another port, such as, forexample, port 1. Multicast enabled remote control 195 includes a display502 and a plurality of keys 508 for distributing audio/video throughoutthe home and controlling the multicast devices within the home. Display502, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, shows the operation of multicast enabledremote control 195 in the redirection mode (port 0 position). Display502 shows a data list 504 and an input network device list 506. In oneembodiment, data list 504 provides a list of multicast addresses foraudio/video streams from digital network output devices in an orderednumber fashion that may be distributed throughout the home. Device list506 provides a list of the possible multicast input devices in analphabet sequence in which the audio/video multicast streams from datalist 504 may be rendered on throughout the home. In other embodiments ofthe invention, other ordering schemes may be used to identify items onthe data list and device list. For example, items on the data list maybe identified by letters and items on the device list may be identifiedby numbers.

To distribute audio/video throughout the home, a user must select anitem from data list 504 and at least one item from input device list506. For example, to monitor the entrance way surveillance camera onmulticast stream no. 2 (multicast address 230.0.0.2) using thekitchen-LCD, a user must select multicast stream no. 2 from data list504 and multicast device h from device list 506. To verbally communicatewith a person at the entrance way, the user must redirect the microphone(from the surveillance camera) on multicast stream no. 12 (multicastaddress 230.0.0.12) from data list 504 to the kitchen speaker on deviceb from input device list 506. To watch a movie being played on themaster bedroom DVD in the living room, the user must select multicaststream no. 5 (multicast address 230.0.0.5) from data list 504 andmulticast device d (Living Room television) from input device list 506.

Embodiments of the present invention do not limit the listening and/orviewing of an audio/video stream to one network input device. In fact,multiple network input devices may play the same audio/video streamsimultaneously. For example, a movie being played on the living DVDplayer may be viewed on one or more of the television in the livingroom, the television in the master bedroom, the LCD in the children'sroom, the LCD in the kitchen, and/or the LCD in the utility room.

In embodiments of the present invention, telephone signals may berendered on speaker systems as well as headphones throughout the home.In one embodiment, telephone signals may always be connected to at leastone headphone in the home or to one or more headphones in the home sothat telephone calls may be picked up immediately without having to beredirected to a specific headphone each time a telephone call isreceived. Telephone signals are also sent to an outside source via homegateway 193. In some embodiments, telephone signals may also includevideo signals that may be displayed on any television or LCD throughoutthe home. In an embodiment in which home gateway 193 may also send videosignals, video signals may also be sent to an outside party using acamera (not shown) attached to a headphone or any other camera withinthe home if the user so desires by selecting the camera and home gateway193 on multicast enabled remote control 195.

As previously indicated, a separate port, such as, for example, port 1,may be used to send control signals to all of the network devices in thehome. In one embodiment, typical controls of a device may be capable ofbeing controlled using multicast enabled remote control 195. In anotherembodiment, a device manufacturer may turn on the most commonly usedcontrol functions for direct control using multicast enabled remotecontrol 195. An example of how a device may be controlled usingmulticast enabled remote control 195 is shown in FIG. 5B. Display 502provides a list 540 of all of the network devices. In one embodiment,upon selection of a network device, a list of parameters will appear forcontrolling a selected device. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, when“LCD-Kitchen” is selected, the following control parameters may appear:Power, Mute, Volume, Contrast, Brightness, Sharpness, Color, and Tint.The up and down arrows on multicast enabled remote control 195 may beused to select the control that needs to be changed. Once the controlhas been selected, then the forward and backward arrows on multicastenabled remote control 195 may be maneuvered to set the control. When anenter button is selected, the multicast control signal is sent to thedevice on the control port, such as, for example, port 1, and thecorresponding control is adjusted for the selected network device.

Network devices may also be programmed to operate based on timeintervals. For example, all lights in a particular zone of the home maybe programmed to turn off at midnight each day. In another example, theheating and cooling system may be automatically set to a coolertemperature during the evening/nighttime hours versus the daytime hours.

A variety of scenarios may be utilized to program devices within thehome. For example, a parent may prevent various audio/video streams frombeing played in the children's room by blocking the input devices in thechildren's room. Blocking prevents the input devices designated as beingblocked from listening to particular multicast addresses. One skilled inthe relevant art(s) would know that multicast enabled remote control 195is capable of performing other standard remote control functions aswell.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram 600 describing an exemplary method forcontrolling a home network using a multicast enabled remote controlaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. The invention isnot limited to the embodiment described herein with respect to flowdiagram 600. Rather, it will be apparent to persons skilled in therelevant art(s) after reading the teachings provided herein that otherfunctional flow diagrams are within the scope of the invention. Theprocess begins with block 602, where the process immediately proceeds toblock 604.

In block 604, multicast enabled remote control 195 detects andaggregates all of the multicast network transmissions from the networkdevices and the home gateway in the home network. As previouslyindicated, each home network device is given a user friendly name andassigned a fixed multicast address at set up. The user friendly name maybe related to the type of device as well as the device location withinthe home. For example, a camcorder in the child's bedroom may be giventhe name Child's Room CAM. Each home network device may record itspresence by multicasting its identity on the fixed multicast address.The process then proceeds to block 606.

In block 606, multicast enabled remote control 195 stores the multicastnetwork transmissions in a local storage and displays them on display502. For example, if multicast enabled remote control 195 is set forredirect mode (port 0), display 502 will show data list 504 and inputdevice list 506 (see FIG. 5A). If multicast enabled remote control 195is set for control mode (port 1), display 502 will show a list of all ofthe digital network devices in the home capable of being controlled bymulticast enabled remote control 195 (see FIG. 5B). The process thenproceeds to decision block 608.

In decision block 608, it is determined whether a user of multicastenabled remote control 195 wants to redirect a multicast audio and/orvideo stream to an input device or control a digital network devicewithin the home. If the user wishes to redirect audio/video streams, theprocess proceeds to decision block 610.

In decision block 610, it is determined whether multicast enabled remotecontrol 195 is set for control mode. If multicast enabled remote control195 is set for control mode, the process proceeds to block 612, wherethe mode is changed to the redirect mode. The process then proceeds toblock 614.

Returning to decision block 610, if multicast enabled remote control 195is set for redirect mode, the process then proceeds to block 614.

In block 614, an audio and/or video multicast stream from data list 504and an input device from device list 506 is entered. Upon entering theuser's selections, the selected input device is redirected to listen tothe selected multicast address stream in block 616.

Returning to decision block 608, if it is determined that the user wantsto control a device, the process proceeds to decision block 618. Indecision block 618, it is determined whether multicast enabled remotecontrol 195 is set for redirect mode. If multicast enabled remotecontrol 195 is set for redirect mode, the process proceeds to block 620,where the mode is changed to the redirect mode. The process thenproceeds to block 622.

Returning to decision block 618, if it is determined that multicastenabled remote control 195 is not set for redirect mode, the processthen proceeds to block 622.

In block 622, parameter changes for controlling a network device areentered by the user into multicast enabled remote control 195. The userselects the device and the parameters that the user wishes to controland enters the changes as described above. In one embodiment, the usermay adjust multiple controls of the device by selecting the parametersand entering the adjustment. In one embodiment, after the user hasentered the adjustments/changes, the user may press the Enter button onmulticast enabled remote control 195 to enable the changes to takeaffect. The process then proceeds to block 624.

In block 624, multicast enabled remote control 195 sends the controladjustments to the selected device, wherein the device is adjustedaccording to the control levels selected by the user.

Certain aspects of embodiments of the present invention may beimplemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof and maybe implemented as a multicast enabled remote control in one or morecomputer systems or other processing systems. In fact, in oneembodiment, the methods may be implemented in programs executing onprogrammable machines such as mobile or stationary computers, personaldigital assistants (PDAs), set top boxes, cellular telephones andpagers, and other electronic devices that each include a processor, astorage medium readable by the processor (including volatile andnon-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least one input device,and one or more output devices. Program code is applied to the dataentered using the input device to perform the functions described and togenerate output information. The output information may be applied toone or more output devices for controlling, for example, the digitalnetwork home devices described above or for redirecting multicastaudio/video streams to selected digital network home input devices asdescribed above. One of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate thatembodiments of the invention may be practiced with various computersystem configurations, including multiprocessor systems, minicomputers,mainframe computers, and the like. Embodiments of the present inventionmay also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasksmay be performed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network.

Each program may be implemented in a high level procedural or objectoriented programming language to communicate with a processing system.However, programs may be implemented in assembly or machine language, ifdesired. In any case, the language may be compiled or interpreted.

Program instructions may be used to cause a general-purpose orspecial-purpose processing system that is programmed with theinstructions to perform the methods described herein. Alternatively, themethods may be performed by specific hardware components that containhardwired logic for performing the methods, or by any combination ofprogrammed computer components and custom hardware components. Themethods described herein may be provided as a computer program productthat may include a machine readable medium having stored thereoninstructions that may be used to program a processing system or otherelectronic device to perform the methods. The term “machine readablemedium” or “machine accessible medium” used herein shall include anymedium that is capable of storing or encoding a sequence of instructionsfor execution by the machine and that causes the machine to perform anyone of the methods described herein. The terms “machine readable medium”and “machine accessible medium” shall accordingly include, but not belimited to, solid-state memories, optical and magnetic disks, and acarrier wave that encodes a data signal. Furthermore, it is common inthe art to speak of software, in one form or another (e.g., program,procedure, process, application, module, logic, and so on) as taking anaction or causing a result. Such expressions are merely a shorthand wayof stating the execution of the software by a processing system to causethe processor to perform an action or produce a result.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample only, and not limitation. It will be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedin the appended claims. Thus, the breadth and scope of the presentinvention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplaryembodiments, but should be defined in accordance with the followingclaims and their equivalents.

1. A home network system, comprising: a plurality of audio/video homenetwork output devices that output multicast streams; a plurality ofaudio/video home network input devices that input audio/video multicaststreams; a home gateway to receive audio/video signals from serviceproviders and to place each of the received signals on an outputmulticast stream; and a multicast enabled remote control, wherein themulticast enabled remote control is configured to detect and aggregatethe output multicast streams from the plurality of audio/video homenetwork output devices and the home gateway and to redirect one or moreof the output multicast streams to one or more of the plurality ofaudio/video home network input devices based on user input when themulticast enabled remote control is in a redirect mode, wherein themulticast enabled remote control is configured to store and display theaggregated audio/video multicast streams as data and the plurality ofaudio/video network input devices as input devices, wherein a userwanting to play one of the aggregated audio/video multicast streams onone or more of the plurality of audio/video network input devicesselects the one of the aggregated audio/video multicast streams and theone or more of the plurality of audio/video network input devices fromthe multicast enabled remote control.
 2. The home network system ofclaim 1, wherein the multicast enabled remote control is configured tocontrol the plurality of audio/video home network output devices and theplurality of audio/video home network input devices when the multicastenabled remote control is in a control mode.
 3. The home network systemof claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of non audio/video networkdevices, the non audio/video network devices capable of receiving andtransmitting multicast signals, wherein the multicast enabled remotecontrol to control the plurality of non audio/video network devices whenthe multicast enabled remote control is in a control mode.
 4. The homenetwork system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of non audio/videonetwork devices comprise digital home appliances such as light fixtures,fans, conventional ovens, heating and cooling systems, hot waterheaters, washers, dryers, and other digital home appliances capable ofbeing controlled by the multicast enabled remote control.
 5. The homenetwork system of claim 1, wherein audio/video network input devicescomprise speakers, displays, and televisions.
 6. The home network systemof claim 1, wherein audio/video network output devices comprise compactdisc players, entertainment centers, digital video disc players, digitalvideo recorders, MP3 players, cameras, camcorders, and other audio/videonetwork output devices capable of transmitting multicast signals.
 7. Ahome network system, comprising: a plurality of home network devicescapable of receiving and/or transmitting multicast input and/or outputsignals; a home gateway to receive audio/video signals generated outsideof the home and to transform the audio/video signals into multicastoutput signals; and a multicast enabled remote control to detect,aggregate, store and display all audio/video multicast output signals onthe multicast enabled remote control, to enable a user to redirect anaudio/video multicast output signal to one or more of the plurality ofhome network devices capable of receiving multicast input signals, andto control the plurality of home network devices capable of receivingand/or transmitting multicast input and/or output signals.
 8. The homenetwork system of claim 7, wherein the multicast enabled remote controlis a dual mode remote control having a redirect mode and a control mode,the redirect mode for redirecting the audio/video multicast outputsignals to the one or more of the plurality of home network devicescapable of receiving multicast input signals.
 9. The home network systemof claim 7, wherein the multicast enabled remote control is a dual moderemote control having a redirect mode and a control mode, the controlmode for controlling the plurality of home network devices capable ofreceiving and/or transmitting multicast input and/or output signals. 10.The home network system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of homenetwork devices capable of receiving and/or transmitting multicast inputand/or output signals include non audio/video network devices, whereinthe non audio/video network devices include home appliances.
 11. Thehome network system of claim 10, wherein the home appliances includelight fixtures, fans, conventional ovens, microwave ovens, heating andcooling systems, hot water heaters, washers, dryers, and any otherdigital home appliance capable of receiving multicast control signalsfrom the multicast enabled remote control.
 12. The home network systemof claim 7, wherein the plurality of home network devices capable ofreceiving and/or transmitting multicast input and/or output signalsinclude audio/video network devices, wherein the audio/video networkdevices include audio/video network input devices and audio/videonetwork output devices, wherein the multicast enabled remote controlallows audio/video multicast output signals from the audio/video networkoutput devices to be redirected to an audio/video network input devicebased user selections of the audio/video multicast output signal and atleast one of the audio/video network input devices.
 13. The home networksystem of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of home network devicesis assigned a local multicast address and a user friendly name foridentifying each of the plurality of home network devices.
 14. The homenetwork system of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of homenetwork devices records its presence to the multicast enabled remotecontrol by multicasting its identity on the assigned local multicastaddress.
 15. The home network system of claim 7, wherein one audio/videomulticast output signal may be directed to more than one of theplurality of network input devices, wherein each of the network inputdevices are located in different rooms within a home.
 16. The homenetwork system of claim 7, wherein the multicast enabled remote controlincludes at least two ports, a first port for redirecting multicasttransmissions and a second port for controlling the plurality of homenetwork devices.
 17. A home network control mechanism for a home networkcomprising: a multicast enabled remote control configured to aggregate,store, and display all audio/video multicast output streams, and toredirect the audio/video multicast output streams to one or moreaudio/video network input devices capable of receiving audio/videomulticast output streams, and to control all audio/video and nonaudio/video home network devices in the home network, wherein theaudio/video multicast output streams are generated by a plurality ofaudio/video network output devices in the home network and a homegateway, the home gateway to place incoming audio/video signals fromsources outside of the home network onto multicast output channels fordetection by the multicast enabled remote control.
 18. The home networkcontrol mechanism of claim 17, wherein a user of the multicast enabledremote control to redirect at least one of the multicast output streamsto the one or more network input devices by selection of the one or morenetwork input devices and the at least one of the multicast outputstreams displayed on the multicast enabled remote control.
 19. The homenetwork control mechanism of claim 17, wherein a user of the multicastenabled remote control to control at least one of a plurality of networkdevices by selecting the at least one of the plurality of networkdevices and a corresponding control parameter and adjusting thecorresponding control parameter, the multicast enabled remote control tosend the adjusted control parameter in the form of a multicast signal tothe at least one of the plurality of network devices.
 20. A method forcontrolling home network devices comprising: detecting and aggregating,by a multicast enabled remote control, all multicast transmissions in ahome network; storing, by the multicast enabled remote control, themulticast transmissions in a local storage; and displaying, based on amode setting of the multicast enabled remote control, a configurationfor the multicast transmissions, wherein if the mode setting of themulticast enabled remote control is in a redirect mode, the displaycomprising a list of audio/video multicast addresses and associatedidentities for each audio/video multicast address and a list of networkinput devices capable of playing audio/video content on the multicastaddresses; wherein a user is enabled to select one or more audio/videomulticast addresses and at least one network input device on themulticast enabled remote control to enable viewing of the selectedcontent on the at least one network input device.
 21. The method ofclaim 20, wherein if the mode setting of the multicast enabled remotecontrol is in a control mode, the display comprising a list of allnetwork devices capable of being controlled by the multicast enabledremote control, wherein a user is enabled to select one of the networkdevices for adjusting a control parameter of the selected networkdevice.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein when the user selects one ofthe network devices, all control parameters for the selected networkdevice are displayed to the user to enable the user to select and adjustthe control parameter of the user's choosing.
 23. The method of claim20, wherein all network devices and all signals received from outside ofthe home network are provided a local multicast address and a userfriendly name for identification; wherein the network devices and thesignals from outside of the home network record their presence bymulticasting their identities on the provided local multicast addresses.24. A non-transitory storage medium having a plurality of machineaccessible instructions stored thereon, wherein when the instructionsare executed by a processor, the instructions cause the processor to:detect and aggregate, by a multicast enabled remote control, allmulticast transmissions in a home network; store, by the multicastenabled remote control, the multicast transmissions in a local storage;and display, based on a mode setting of the multicast enabled remotecontrol, a configuration for the multicast transmissions, wherein if themode setting of the multicast enabled remote control is in a redirectmode, the display comprising a list of audio/video multicast addressesand associated identities for each audio/video multicast address and alist of network input devices capable of playing audio/video content onthe multicast addresses; wherein a user is enabled to select one or moreaudio/video multicast addresses and at least one network input device onthe multicast enabled remote control to enable viewing of the selectedcontent on the at least one network input device.
 25. The article mediumof claim 24, wherein if the mode setting of the multicast enabled remotecontrol is in a control mode, the display comprising a list of allnetwork devices capable of being controlled by the multicast enabledremote control, wherein a user is enabled to select one of the networkdevices for adjusting a control parameter of the selected networkdevice.
 26. The medium of claim 25, wherein when the user selects one ofthe network devices, all control parameters for the selected networkdevice are displayed to the user to enable the user to select and adjustthe control parameter of the user's choosing.
 27. The medium of claim24, wherein all network devices and all signals received from outside ofthe home network are provided a local multicast address and a userfriendly name for identification; wherein the network devices and thesignals from outside of the home network record their presence bymulticasting their identities on the provided local multicast addresses.